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In the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 clash between Sri Lanka and Australia in Lucknow, it’s Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain, Kusal Mendis, who won the toss and decides to bat first. Sri Lanka makes two significant changes to their playing XI, with Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara replacing Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana. On the other hand, Australia opts to stick with their unchanged lineup.
Both teams enter the match without a win in the tournament, making this encounter a pivotal one for them. While Sri Lanka has a marginally superior run-rate, they are also higher in the points table compared to Australia, who are languishing at the bottom.
Starc tries to Mankad Perera
An interesting thing occured during the contest. There was an incident of Starc running out Kusal Perera at the non striker’s end. Mitchell Starc chose not to “Mankad” Kusal Perera despite it being the second time the issue had arisen in the match. Earlier, Starc had given a subtle warning to Kusal Perera for backing up early at the non-striker’s end. However, upon reviewing the replay, it was clear that Perera had not violated any rules, and he would have been inside the crease at the time of the delivery. Starc had a stare at Perera on both the occasions and the crowd errupted during both the times.
Australia’s campaign in the World Cup has been rocky, with two consecutive losses against South Africa and India. In their previous game, they suffer a crushing 134-run defeat against South Africa, followed by a six-wicket loss to India. Their key spinner, Adam Zampa, has struggled to make an impact, contributing to their poor performance.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka has faced a high-scoring match against South Africa, losing by a considerable 102-run margin. In their second game, Pakistan successfully chases down a daunting target of 345. The most significant concern for Sri Lanka has been their bowling, as they’ve conceded over 400 runs in their opening match and failed to defend 344 in the second game.
Despite both teams having endured a tough start to the tournament, Australia appears more formidable on paper, boasting a squad filled with promising talents. The encounter is crucial for both sides, as a victory here significantly boosts their chances of advancing in the tournament. The match is anticipated to be an exciting contest, with the outcome likely hinging on the performance of bowlers from both teams. The toss favors Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first, and they are hopeful of putting up a competitive total on the board, looking to claim their first win in the World Cup.
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